Consistency responsive device



Oct., 25, 1932. s. E. MEYERS CONSISTENCY RESPONSIVE DEVICE Filed Junel5, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet l "UMHN v..

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@et 25, 1932. s. E. MEYERS 1,884,075

CONSISTENCY RESPONSIVE DEVICE Filed June 15, 1931 s sheets-sheet 2INVENTOR.

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Patented Oct. 25, 1932 UNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE SIDNEY E. MEYEBS, OFLOCKPORT, NEW YORK, lATSSIGrNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ERICSSON H. l

MERBITT, OF LOCKPORT, NEW YORK CONSISTENCY RESPONSIVE DEVICE Applicationled June 15, 1931. Serial N'o. 544,359.

This invention relates to consistency responsive devices and moreparticularly to consistency control devices arranged to modity theviscosity of iluid suspensions, such as paper stock in paper millbeaters.

The invention has for its object generally an improved construction andarrangement of parts, which is eiiicient, economical and readilymanufactured.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a devicewhich is highly sensitive to changes in consistency of fluidsuspensions, such as paper stock and is adapted to respond quickly toanysuch variations 35 to rectify the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device, in which theaddition of modifying fluid to the suspension is controlled by degreesand with great precision.

Another objectV of the invention is to provide a p ositive system forregulating the addition of modifymg lluid by means of a relay or otheragency arranged to utilize an eX- ternal source of energy for doing theregnlating work.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

This application is a continuation in part of my co-pending application,which has become Patent No. 1,810,111, issued June 16, 1931.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the inventionreference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a horizontal plan view of a paper mill beater provided with animproved consistency responsive device constructed in accordance withthe invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section taken on line 2,-2 in Fig. 1 lookingin the direction of the arrows; 5'() Fig. 3 is a view partly in sectionand partly in side elevation, the section being that of the heater andtaken on the line 3--3in Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view partlyin sec- 55 tion and partly inelevation, showing on an enlarged scale the details in the constructionof the relay or pilot motor mechanism here employed in connection withthe invention.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 t0 3, there isillustrated a conventional beating engine adapted vfor accomplishing theprocess known as beating in the manufacture of paper and the like. Suchbeating engines are commonly 65 referred to as beaters.

The beater shown comprises a tub 1() which has a mid-feather or centralpartition 11 eX- tending from a point near one end of the tub to a pointnear the other, thereby dividing the tub to provide a single circuitouspassage about the same through which the paper stock moves in adirectiony indicated by the arrow a. This movement of the stock isproduced by means of a driven roll 12 75 which extends substantiallycompletely across one side of the beater and has a driving pulley 13 onits shaft, to which power is transmitted in order to drive the roll. Inorder to accomplish the beating action, the roll 12 80 is provided witha plurality of transversely disposed blades 14 arranged parallel to theaxis of the roll. These blades engage with the oncoming stock as itmoves in the beater passage and causes the stock to move along Se thebottom of the tub and then up over the back-fall shown at 15. Thisaction of the roll 12 produces a normal difference between the hydrauliclevel of the stock which has just passed over the back-fall and that ofthe stock which Hows under the blades 15. This difference in levelscauses a flow of the stock in the passage about the mid-feather;conseuently there is an inclination or slope of t e stock in its flowbetween two successive ints in the passage about the mid-feather. lllhisslope has been ascertained to be a true function of the consistency orpercentage of the solid material supended in the stock as ointed out inmy co-pending application, gerial No. 318,676 referred to above. Thedifference in level between two successive points in th'e beater whichare suliciently disp tant to give a readily ascertained dilerential istaken as the measure ofthe slope and hence of the consistency, the twopoints being conveniently located for example on opposite sides of themid-feather.

In the practice of the present invention, responsive elements aredisposed at points 16 and 17 and arranged to respond quickly to changesin the hydraulic level, these points being taken on opposite sides ofthe midfeather adjacent the section line 3-3 as shown in Fig. 1. Theseelements are in turn connected to actuate a suitable differentialmechanism shown generally at A18 which controls the valve 19 forregulating the admission of iuid for modifying the consistency of thesuspension in the bea-ter. This fluid, which may be water, is admittedthrough the nozzle 20, here shown as a pipe disposed substantiallycompletely across one slde of the beater a short distance in advance ofthe roll 12. The actuation of valve 19 by differential mechanism 18 ishere controlled by an intermediate means or relay comprisin a pilotmotor indicated generally at'21, whichA 1s connected to valve 19 by acable 22.

The responsive elements here shown comprise stand-pipes 25 and 25 whichdepend into the beater to points near the -bottom of the passage asshown. Each of these pipes preferably has its lower end terminating in abell as shown at 26 and 26 respectively. Suitable means for the securingof the standpipe; to the sides of the beaterare shown at 2 In order thatchanges in the hydraulic level wit-hin the pipes 25 and 25 may bequickly responded to, the hydrostatic pressure associated with such pipeis taken as the index to the height of the suspension in the circuitouspassage on the exterior of the pipe. This pressure is then balancedagainst a suitable elastic pressure, so that any changes therein may betransmitted thereby to the differential mechanism. The source of elasticpressure here `shown is a pneumatic one, where 30 denotes an airreservoir arranged to be kept properl filled with air under pressure bymeans o a power pump 31. Pipe connections are shown at 32 leading fromthe reservoir 30 to a closed chamber 33 on the top of stand-pipe 25. Apressure-reducing valve 34 is shown in this pipe connection beyond whichis a pet cock 35 kept constantly closed, there being a branch connection36 leading to a chamber in the differentiai mechanism as hereinaftermore fully explained. Similar connections 32 lead to the chamber 33 ofthe other stand-pipe 2,5. This connection likewise has apressure-reducin valve 34', a bleeder-valve 35 and a branc connection 36which leads to another chamber in the differential mechanism. By thisarrangement, it is seen that the valves 34 and 34 may be adjusted toadmit a supply of compressed air so that the rate of escape from theends of pipes 25 or 25 maintains a pressure in the chambers 33 and 33'which just balances the hydrostatic pressure registered in thestand-pipes 25 and 25 when the normal consistency of the suspension inthe beater obtains. Any change in the hydrostatic pressure in the pipes25 and 25 reacts to change the pressures in the chambers 33 and 33 whichresults in a change in the pressures normally maintained in the differ-.,ential mechanism.

preferred are shown in F ig. 4, where 40 denotes a casing which houses apair of chambers having movable walls disposed so that their expansionnormally opposes one another. This is conveniently achieved by providingcorrugated expansible bellows 41 and 42 each sealed on one side by theend walls of the chamber 4() and on the other by walls 43 over which aredisposed opposed spiders 44. The spiders 44 are shown as having radialmembers extending outwardly across the Walls 43 from their centralcolumns 45 and extend toward each other and bear upon the lower end ofan actuating lever 46, here shown as L-shaped and pivoted at 47 in anupper part or turret 48 on the casing 40. In the arrangement shown, itis seen that one arm of the L-shaped lever depends between theexpansible diaphragms While the other extends through an' opening in theside of the turret and has a counterweight 49 depending from its outerend. A link 50 is connected to an intermediate portion of this latterextending arm and connects the lever 46 to a second lever 51 pivoted at52 to the casing of the pilot motor 21. This pilot motor may be of anyconvenient variety adapted to be operated by means of an external supplyof energy. lVater power however is generally available in plants of thepaper industry and this pilot motor is shown as of the hydraulicvariety, for example, a reciprocating piston motor, the admission ofwater under pressure to actuate this motor being controlled by means ofa pilot valve 53 that is arranged to be actuated by the lever 51.

The pilot valve 53 has a member 54 connected to be moved by a rod 55passing through the stuiling box 56 and reci rocated `by motiontransmitted from the ever 51.

dinal passages formed cin the walls o thev casing about the ciltralpassage in which member 54 moves. n consequence both ends of member 54receive equal supplies of motor fluid. When the member`54 is displacedfrom its neutral position, water is admitted to one or the other of theends of the cylinder of motor 21.

A clearance space is also provided about the valve memberwith which theother end f of the cylinder communicates when the valve member 54 moves.This is conveniently provided by forming member 54 with a reduced orwaste portion so placed that when member 54 is in normal position itjust closes passages 57 and 58. From this, it will be seen thatwheneverthe valve member 54 is moved so as to place one end of thec linder ofthe motor in communication with't e supply of motive ud, the other endis at the same time placed in communication with the exhaust, wherebythe piston 59 is free to move until the valve member 54 resumes itsneutral position when further movement of the piston 59 is stopped.

g Motion of fthe piston 59 thus caused by a movement of the pilot valvemember is einployed to actuate the valve 19 regulating the admission ofmodifying fluid to the beater. To this end, the piston 59 has a rod 62to which the upper end of the cable 22 1s connected, and which in turnis connected to the lever arm of valve 19.

In order to check the motion of the valve 19 when a. suliicient motionhas taken place,l

to accomplish the desired modification of the consistency, the piston 59is permitted only limited motion, i.4 e. it is short stroked or causedto move in steps. Acordinglyia compensating means is associated with themotor 21 which here comprises an auxiliary rod 63, secured to the rod 62so as to move on the outside of the motorcylinder, arranged to lift oneend of a compensating lever 64, which is associated with the pilot valve53. This lever is of the loating variety and has its other end 65pivoted to the valve rod 55. An intermediate point of this lever ispivoted at 66 to the link 67 which is connected at 68 to the lever 51.

In Fig. 3, there is shown connected with the fluid supply a suitablewater filter 7 0, a means such as a pressure-actuated electric signal 71for indicating pressure changes which occur in the differentialmechanism, and a peep-hole 72 in the casing 40 for viewing7 thedifferential mechanism.

he operation of the lpresent consistency res onsive device is as fo ows:

uming that paper stock is moving in the c ircuitious passage about thebeater, and that sufficient air is supplied to pipes 32 and 32 todisplace al1 il from the stand-pipes 25 and 25 (preferably the air issupplied at such a rate as just to escape from the bottom of the ipesand bubble up through the stock) the va ves 34, 34,'35 and 35 being soadjusted that when normal consistency obtains the leverv 46 in thediierential mechanism is at its mid-point, then, if any change occurs inthe consistency, for example-if it becomes more viscous, the `slope willbecome more steep and the hydrostatic pressure at the stand-pipe 25becomes relatively less so that v adrop in pressure travels along thepipe 32 to the chamber of the diii'erential mechanism communicating withpipe 86.

' In consequence, the lever 46 is caused to move to the left by reasonof the superior pressure in .the chamber on the right. This movement ofthe lower end of lever 46 to the left, as will be seen by reference toFig. 4, causes the lever 51 to move upwardly and consequently the'valverod 55 to move upwardly whereby motive iiuid is admitted to the lowerend of the cylinder of the motor 2l. A n upward movement of the piston59 is accordingly initiated which allows the cable 22 to move under theinfluence of the weight 22 so as to open the valve 19 and admitmodifying liquid at a predetermined rate through the nozzle 20. 1

The compensating mechanism associated with the pilot motor "21, isbrought into operation by this movement of the valve 19 causing it tostop in a certain position when it has beenpartially o ned. This is seento be accomplished by e piston rod 62 lifting the auxiliary rod 63, soas to lift the outer end of lever 64. By so doing,'fthe pivot 65 at theother end of the lever is caused to descend, drawing downwardly thevalve rofl 55 so that memberr54 assumes normal position and shuts oiifurther admission of motive fluid to the cylinder of the motor 2l.

The valve 19 is thus caused to remain in al partially opened conditionnoted, admitting v a small amount of modifying liquid which is and 25'is seen to cause a pressure drop in the chamber communication with pipe36 and a pressure rise in the chamber communicating with pipe 36', sothat the lower end of lever 46 is accordingly moved back substantiallyto its .initial neutral position. This motion causes lever 51 to bemoved downwardly which consequently draws down the valve rod 55 so as toopen the passage 57 to the top of the cylinder of the motor 21. Thiswill cause the piston 59 to move downwardly thereby causing the cable 22to effect a closing/ of the valve 19. When this is done, it will be seenthat this movement of the piston causes` the auxiliary rod 63 also tomove and drop the outer end of the lever 64, thereby bringing the valvemember 54 back to its original position. This again stops the motion ot'piston 59 so that valve 19 when closed remains closed. It is thus seenthat further modication of the consistency of the suspension in thebeater ceases when normal consistency has been regained.

In the event that the rate at which fluid was supplied through nozzle 20in the first instance is not sufficient to rectify the consistency, theslope accordingly becomes more steep and causes a further movement ofthe lever 46 to the left, so that valve member 54 is again moved -up anda further upward movement of the piston 59 ensues so as to effect afurther opening movement of the valve 19. This causes an admission ofthe modifying fluid at a greater rate than initiall This increased rateshould bring back the consistency to normal, but in the event that itdoes not and a steeper slope ensues, it is seen that the valve 19 isgiven a further partial opening movement.- Thus it is seen that by thepresent invention, the regulation takes place in small steps, eachhaving an opportunity to bring about the desired condition ofconsistency. In this wa conditions of consistency are closely hel inpractice within very narrow limits. It is also seen that the changes inhydrostatic pressures at the stand-pipes 25 and 25 are substantiallyimmediately transmitted to the differential mechanism which at once selsup a motion of the relay device which releases the energy supplied tothe pilot motor for effecting the step-by-step regulation desired.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention could be made without departingfrom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is:

1. In a consistency responsive device, the

combination with a passage through which a fluid suspension continuallymoves, of hydrostatic means located at two successive points in saidpassage for ascertaining the relative levels vthereat, a differentialmechanism associated with said h drostatic means and adapted to beactuated differences in the relative levels at said hydi'ostatic means,means for admitting a consistency modifying fluid to the suspension insaid assage and a relay actuated by said di erential mechanism formoving said fluid-admitting means.

2. In a consistency responsive device, the combination with a passagethrough which a fluid suspension continually moves, of hydrostatic meanslocated at two successive points in said passage for ascertaining therelative levels thereat, a differential mechanism associated with said hdrostatic means and adapted to be actuated differences in the relativelevels at said hydiostatic means, means for admitting a consistencymodifying fluid to the suspension in said assage, and a pilot motoractuated by said) differential mechanism arranged to move saidfluid-admitting means step-by-ste 3. In a consistency responsive evice,the combination with a passage through which a fluid suspensioncontinually moves, of hydrostatic means located at two successive pointsin said passage for ascertaining the relative levels thereat, adifferential mechanism associated with said hvdrostatic means andadapted to be actuated by differences in the relat1ve levels at saidhydrostatic means, a valve for controlling the admission of fluid to thesuspension in said passa and a hydraulic motor ractuated by saidifferential mechanism arranged to mve said valve in a step-by-stepmanner.

4. In a consistency responsive device, the combination with a passagethrough which a fluid suspension continually moves, of hydrostatic meanslocated at two successive points in said passage for ascertaining therelative levels thereat, a differentialmechanism associated with saidhydrostatic meansl and adapted to be actuated y differences in therelative levels at said hydrostatic means, a valve for controlling therate of admission of consistency modifying fluid to the suspension insaid passage, a ilot motor actuated by said differential mec anismconnected to move said valve, and compensating means associated withsaid motor for limiting its movement when a predetermined movement hastaken place.

5. In a consistency responsive device, the

combination with a passage through which a fluid suspension continuallymoves, of hydrostatic means located at two successive points in saidpassage for'ascertaining the relative levels thereat, a differentialmechanism associated with said hydrostatic means and adapted to beactuated by dierences in the relative levels at said hydrostatic means,a main valve for controllin the rate of admission of consistenc moifying fluid to the suspension in sai passage, a hydraulic motor havinga art connected to move said main valve, a pilot valve actuated by saiddiiferential mechanism for controlling the supply of motive fluid to.said motor, and compensating means associated with said pilot valvearranged to be actuated by said motor for a predeterminedmovement ofsaid main valve to i-estore said pilot valve to normal whereby astep-by-step operation of said motor ensues.

6. In a consistency responsive device, the combination with a passagethrough which a iuid suspension continually moves, of stand-pipeslocated at two relatively distant points in the path of movement,elastic pressure supply means for balancing each of the hydrostaticpressures obtaining at said stand-pipes, opposed pressure responsivedevices actuated by the differential in said balancing pressures, meansfor admitting a consistency modifying iiuid to the suspension in saidpassage, and a relay actuated by said pressure diierential for movingsaid Huidadmitting means.

7. In a consistency responsive device, the combination with a passagethrough which a iiuid suspension continually moves, of standpipeslocated at two relatively distant points in the path of movement,elastic pressure supply means for balancing each oi the hydrostaticpressures obtaining at said stand pipes,opposed pressure responsivedevices actuated by the diii'erential in said balancing pressures, avalve for controlling the admission of iuid to the suspension in saidpassage, and a hydraulic motor actuated by said diiierential mechanismarranged to move said valve in a step-by-step manner.

8. In a consistency responsive device, the combination with a passagethrough which a fluid suspension continually moves, oi standpipeslocated at two relatively distant points in theV path of movement,elastic pressure supply means or balancing each of the hydrostaticpressures obtaining at said standpipes,opposed pressure responsivedevices actuated by the diiierential in said balancing pressures, avalve for controlling the rate of admission of consistency modifyingfluid to the suspension in said passage, a pilot motor actuated by saiddiiierential mechanism connected to move said valve, and compensatingmeans associated with said motor for limiting its movement when apredetermined movement has taken place.

9. In a consistency responsive device, the combination with a passagethrough which a Afluid suspension continually moves, of Standpipeslocated at two relatively distant points in .the path ot movement,elastic pressure supply means for balancing each of the hydrostaticpressures obtaining at said standpipes, opposed pressure responsivedevices ac- 'tuated by the differential in said balancing pressures, amain valve for controlling the rate of admission of consistencymodifying iuid to the suspension in` said passage, a hydraulic motorhaving a. part connected to move said main valve, a pilot valve actuatedby said diierential mechanism for controlling the supply of motive iuidto said motor, and compensating means associated with said /pilot valvearranged to be actuated by said motor for a predetermined movement ofsaid main valve to restore said pilot valve to normal whereby astep-by-step operation of said motor ensues.

10. In a consistency responsive device, the combination with a passagethrough which a fluid suspension continually moves, of standpipeslocated at different successive points in said passage providedwithclosed tops, pipe connections for admitting air under pressure tosaid standpipes in amounts sufficient to balance the hydrostaticpressures at said standpipes where normal consistency obtains, pressurechambers disposed to have opposed movable walls, connections for movingsaid walls in response to changes in the differential between saidhydrostatic pressures, a valve for admitting fluid to modify theconsistency of the suspension in said passage, and a pilot motorconnected to movesaid valve in response to a movement in said walls.

11. In a consistency responsive device, the combination with a passagethrough which a iiuid suspension continually moves, of standpipeslocated at diierent successive points in said passage provided withclosed tops, pipe connections for admitting air under pressure tc saidstand-pipes in amounts sufficient to balance the hydrostatic pressuresat said stand-pipes where normal consistency obtains, pressure chambersdisposed to have opposed movable walls, connections for moving saidwalls in response to changes in the diHerentia-l between saidhydrostatic pressures, a valve `for controlling the admission of iiuidto the suspension iii said passage, a hydraulic motor having a pistonconnected to move said valve, and means actuated by the motion of saidwalls for controlling the supply oi" motive Huid to said motor.

12. In a consistency responsive device, the combination with a passagethrough which a iuid suspension continually moves, of standpipes iocatedat diiierent successive points in said passage provided with closedtops, pipe connections for admitting air under pressure to saidstand-pipes in amounts suiiicient to balance the hydrostatic pressuresat said stand-pipes where normal consistency obtains, pressure chambersdisposed.` to have opposed movable walls, connections for moving saidwalls in response to changes in the ies iis

dierential between said hydrostaticl pressures, a valve for controllingthe admission of uid to the suspension in said passage, a hydraulicmotor having a piston connected to move said valve, means actuated b themotion of said walls for controllin t e supply of motive fluid to saidmotor, andgcoxnpensating means associated with said motor for restoringsaid last named means to normal l0 position when a predetermined motionof said valve has taken place. In testimony whereof I aix my si ature.

SIDNEY E. ME RS.

